Chapter 117: I Knew It Was a Trap

In the hidden narrative of the film, there are details that remained undisclosed.

It is said in the historical records of the Nine Realms that the Dark Elves were wiped out thousands of years ago, but in reality, that was not the case. They were merely driven from their homeland, their remnants scavenged by Asgard.

This time, Malekith’s attempt to reclaim the Aether failed. Not only did he lose his vanguard, but he also retreated with the remnants of his army. Yet, as the film’s events unfolded, the Kursed warrior who caused chaos within Asgard had been preparing for something much grander while creating that distraction.

The Kursed not only released the prisoners from the dungeon but also encountered a very interesting individual there: a Frost Giant who harbored a deep, burning hatred for Asgard. They found it incomprehensible that Odin would capture so many enemies only to keep them alive—was it simply to showcase his own triumphs and put his foes on display for others to admire?

Through this Frost Giant, the Kursed learned vital intelligence regarding Asgard. These two brothers-in-arms shared much and reached a decision: they would seek help from the Eternal Titan, Thanos. Heaven knows why they thought of him, or how a Frost Giant would even know of Thanos. Yet, the event unfolded as bizarrely and inevitably as if it were fated.

Both the Kursed and the Frost Giant believed that as long as the war against Asgard was won, it mattered not who claimed the victory; so long as Asgard was destroyed, it was a triumph for them. They reasoned that if they offered weapons of destruction as payment, Thanos would surely not refuse. As long as the Asgardians were miserable and Odin was plagued with trouble, they would be satisfied.

The Kursed had originally been unwilling to rely on the strength of others to carry out the Dark Elves' final directive, but Malekith had left him behind during his escape. Furthermore, the Frost Giant’s words carried a strange sense of conviction, and perhaps driven by anger and betrayal, the Kursed set out alongside him, beginning a search through the star-seas for the trail of Thanos. He would prove to be the greatest contributor to the return of darkness.

Back in Asgard, Thor found Loki and proceeded to open the vault to retrieve the Casket of Ancient Winters. Fate’s choices are strange and wondrous; Thor, entirely consumed by the loss of his mother and lover, had no capacity to consider anything else. After releasing Loki, the two brothers took the Casket and began tracking the whereabouts of Kel'Thuzad.

Meanwhile, having opened the vault, Roer had finally encountered the Eternal Flame. Through contact with the flame, he grasped its general utility. As a form of energy core, its purpose was not merely to enhance the human body; it could also fundamentally alter substances imbued with it according to certain rules. In truth, by utilizing this flame and the skull, Roer could choose to summon a Fire Giant. It was much like Ragnaros the Firelord from Hearthstone. He could either summon the Firelord or use the flame to transform himself into one.

Thus, after sacrificing a massive amount of soul energy, utilizing the energies within Odin’s vault, a portion of the Eternal Flame, and a vast array of cards as raw material, Roer successfully summoned Ragnaros the Firelord.

[The Firelord: Ragnaros]
[Type: Hero Card]
[Level: Legendary SS+]
[Race: Demon]
[Attribute: Elemental]
[Mana: Infinity]
[Ultimate Skill: Twilight of the Gods]
[Traits: Destroyer of Worlds, Source of Flame, Return of the King, Fallen Soul, Breath of Fire, Firelord, Hellfire, Twilight Blade...]
[Description: The great Firelord has been resurrected after death, and this time, he actually has a master... how truly gratifying.]

The appearance of the Firelord meant that Roer held another trump card, giving him an even greater advantage in the coming confrontation with Odin, Thor, and Loki. In reality, however, Odin likely did not have much longer to live.

Tracking the aura, Thor and Loki, in disguise, finally found Kel'Thuzad.

"Lich, come out and face me!"

In the center of the stone circle, Kel'Thuzad appeared. As he raised his hand, an obelisk rose behind him. Frigga’s remains lay still on the ritual altar, while Jane was encased in ice.

"Mother!" Thor and Loki cried out in unison.

"I thought you didn't even like Mother," Thor remarked, looking at Loki with surprise.

"I loved her more than any of you ever did. She was my mother—she always was."

As he spoke, Loki drew his dagger and promptly stabbed Thor in the side.

Kel'Thuzad watched this scene in silence, like a spectator watching a performance, smiling but saying nothing. The chains upon his body moved without wind, quickly coiling toward Loki and Thor.

Loki held his dagger aloft and looked at Kel'Thuzad, signaling that he had something to say.

"Speak quickly. I am in a hurry. Have you brought what I wanted?"

"No, no. Before I hand over the treasure of our Frost Giant kin, I want to clarify one thing. Besides, only I know where the Casket of Ancient Winters is hidden. Kill me, and you will never possess it."

Loki began to negotiate with Kel'Thuzad.

"As a fellow member of the Frost Giant race, I believe we have common grievances. I, too, loathe Asgard and that group of hypocrites. What I mean to say is, count me in on your plan for destruction."

Loki walked forward as he spoke, but the perpetually elegant Kel'Thuzad retreated slightly, looking at the approaching Loki with a hint of disdain. "Do you take me for a fool?"

A strange silence fell over the scene.

Loki raised his dagger, his lips moving as if to speak, then stopping, then starting again. Finally, he kicked Thor, who was still feigning death.

"I knew you had no talent for acting. This kind of thing is just too hard for you. Get up quickly; our plan has been exposed."

"This was a plan I spent days thinking of! The problem must be you, you adopted brat!" Thor stood up from the ground.

"Oh, stop it, Thor, you idiot."

"This is all your fault, Loki!"

Just as Kel'Thuzad was distracted by their bickering, the two of them—as if they had pre-arranged it—simultaneously charged toward the rear of Kel'Thuzad, one to the left and one to the right, in a pincer attack. Thor threw his hammer at Kel'Thuzad and dashed toward Jane, while Loki rushed directly toward the position of Frigga.

With a gleeful smile, Kel'Thuzad activated his mirror image spell. Within moments, three identical versions of Kel'Thuzad appeared.

"Oh, this is a real surprise! Thor, didn't you say there was only one of him? Your damned brain!"

"Yes, Loki, there was only one! My damned brain saw only one of him!"

The two had no choice but to retreat to their starting positions.